Gary Neville has backed Chelsea to finish in the Premier League’s Champions League places, going as far as suggesting they could finish second and emerge as Arsenal’s closest challengers.

The former Manchester United defender believes Chelsea have assembled a squad capable of competing at the highest level, while experienced additions could help improve the team’s standards and mentality.

“I think they’re a certainty to finish in the Champions League place. I think they could even be second. They could get nearest to Arsenal,” Neville said.

According to Neville, the influence of new signings Danny Welbeck and Jordan Henderson could prove particularly important. He believes their experience will provide Chelsea with greater discipline, organisation and leadership within the dressing room.

“I think the signings of Welbeck and Henderson bring standards, discipline, organization, and guardianship of the dressing room,” he said.

The prediction places Chelsea firmly among the teams expected to challenge near the top of the Premier League, with Neville seeing them as potential contenders for second place.